COMPLEX NUMBERS

Learning Outcomes
As a result of studying this topic, students will be able to:
a) Perform arithmetic operations on complex numbers.
b) Write complex numbers in standard form and in polar form.
c) Compute sums, products, quotients, conjugate, modulus, and argument of
complex numbers.
d) Apply De Moivre’s theorem in finding roots and powers of complex numbers
as well as simplify trigonometric functions.

Introduction

Numbers of the form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 , where 𝑎 and 𝑏𝑖 are real numbers and imaginary
numbers respectively are called complex numbers. The letter 𝑖 = √−1. For
instance if 𝑥 2 = −1, this implies that 𝑥 = √−1 = ±𝑖. There is therefore a number
system called complex number system, with the following properties:
i). The system contains all real numbers i.e. integers, rational and irrational
numbers.
ii). Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of complex numbers obey
the same rules of arithmetic that hold for the real number system.
iii). Complex number system contains a number, usually denoted by 𝑖, such that
𝑖 2 = −1.
iv). Every complex number can be written in the standard form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 where a
and b are real numbers.
v). Two complex numbers 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 and 𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖 are equal exactly when 𝑎 = 𝑐 and
𝑏 = 𝑑.
vi). Numbers of the form 𝑏𝑖 where b is real are called imaginary numbers.

1
1. Arithmetic with complex numbers

Using the rules above, this section will solve a few basic questions involving
arithmetic with complex numbers.

Examples
1. Perform the following sums:
a) (1 + 𝑖) + (3 − 7𝑖)
Solution
(1 + 𝑖) + (3 − 7𝑖) = (1 + 3) + (𝑖 − 7𝑖) = 4 − 6𝑖 .
b) (4 + 3𝑖) − (8 − 6𝑖)
Solution
(4 + 3𝑖) − (8 − 6𝑖) = (4 − 8) + (3𝑖 + 6𝑖) = −4 + 9𝑖 .

1
c) 4𝑖 (2 + 𝑖). Write the final answer in standard form.
2

Solution
1 1
4𝑖 (2 + 𝑖) = 4𝑖(2) + 4𝑖 ( 𝑖)= 8𝑖 + 2𝑖 2 = 8𝑖 − 2 = −2 + 8𝑖.
2 2

d) (2 + 𝑖)(3 − 4𝑖).
Solution
(2 + 𝑖)(3 − 4𝑖) =2 (3 − 4𝑖) + i(3 − 4𝑖) = 6 − 8𝑖 + 3𝑖 − 4𝑖 2 = 6 − 8𝑖 +
3𝑖 + 4 = 10 − 5𝑖 .

2. Solve the following:

a) (3 + 2i)(3 − 2i)
Solution
(3 + 2i)(3 − 2i) = 3(3 − 2i) + 2𝑖 (3 − 2i)

2
 = 9 − 6𝑖 + 6𝑖 − 4𝑖 2 = 9 + 4 = 13
Thus (a + bi)(c − bi) = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2
b) (4 + i)2
Solution
(4 + i)2 = (4 + i)(4 + i) = 4(4 + i) + 𝑖(4 + i) = 16 + 4𝑖 + 4𝑖 + 𝑖 2
= 16 + 8𝑖 − 1 = 15 + 8𝑖
Thus (a + bi)2 = 𝑎 + 2𝑎𝑏𝑖 − 𝑏 = (𝑎 − 𝑏) + 2𝑎𝑏𝑖
c) 𝑖 54
Solution
𝑖 54 = (𝑖 2 )27 = (−1)27 = −1. Remember a negative number raised to an
odd power gives a negative number.

3+4𝑖
3. Express in the standard form i.e. in the form a + bi where a and b are real
1+2𝑖

numbers.
Solution
The conjugate of the denominator is 1 − 2𝑖. Multiply both the numerator and the
denominator with this conjugate.
3 + 4𝑖 3 + 4𝑖 1 − 2𝑖 (3 + 4𝑖)(1 − 2𝑖) 3(1 − 2𝑖) + 4𝑖 (1 − 2𝑖)
= . = =
1 + 2𝑖 1 + 2𝑖 1 − 2𝑖 12 + 22 5

3 − 6𝑖 + 4𝑖 − 8𝑖 2 11 − 2𝑖 11 2
= = = − 𝑖
5 5 5 5

1
4. Express in the standard form.
1−𝑖

Solution
The conjugate of the denominator is 1 + 𝑖. Multiply both the numerator and the
denominator with this conjugate.

3
 1 1 1+𝑖 1+𝑖 1+𝑖 1 1
= . = 2 = = + 𝑖
1 − 𝑖 1 − 𝑖 1 + 𝑖 1 + 12 2 2 2
5. Solve the equation 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 3 = 0 .
Solution
Using the formula method:
−𝑏± √𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐 −1±√12 −4(2)(3) −1±√−23
𝑥= = =
2𝑎 2(2) 4

1 𝑖√23 1 √23
=− ± =− ± 𝑖.
4 4 4 4

The solution is a complex number.

6. Solve the equation 𝑥 3 = 1.
Solution
𝑥3 − 1 = 0 => (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1) = 0
=> 𝑥 = 1 𝑜𝑟 (𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1) = 0
−1± √12 −4(1)(1) −1±√−3 −1 √3
=> 𝑥 = = = ± 𝑖 .
2(1) 2 2 2

−1 √3 −1 √3
𝑥 = 1, + 𝑖 𝑜𝑟 − 𝑖 .
2 2 2 2

Exercise
1) Compute the results of the following sums and write the answer in standard
form:

𝑎) (2 + 3𝑖) + (6 − 𝑖); b) (−5 + 7𝑖) + (14 + 3𝑖); c)(−2 + 8𝑖) − (4 + 2𝑖).

√2 √3
𝑑) (3 + 5𝑖) − (4 + 2𝑖) ; e) ( + 𝑖) ( − 𝑖) ; f)(2 + 𝑖)(3 + 5𝑖).
2 2

1 1
𝑔) (2 − 𝑖)(5 + 2𝑖). h) (2 − 5𝑖)2 ; i) ( − 𝑖) ( + 2𝑖).
2 4

2) Compute the results of the following sums and write the answer in standard
form:

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 1 2+𝑖 1 2
𝑎) ; b) + ; d) (2+3𝑖)(4+𝑖)
2+𝑖 1−𝑖 2+𝑖

3) Solve for x:

𝑎) 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 5 = 0; b) 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 2 = 0 ; c) 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 = −4 ; d) 𝑥 2 + 1 = 4𝑥

Answers
1) 𝑎) 8 + 2𝑖 ; b) 9 + 10𝑖; c) − 6 + 6i ; d) − 1 + 3i ;
√2√3 1
e) ( + 1) + (√3 + √2)𝑖
4 2

17 3
𝑓) 1 + 13𝑖 ; g) 12 − 𝑖; h) − 21 − 20i ; i) + i.
8 4
1 √56 1 √7 1 √31
2) 𝑎) ± 𝑖 ; b) − ± 𝑖 ; c) ± 𝑖 ; d)3.7321; 0.5359 .
3 6 2 2 4 4

2. Polar Form

A complex number 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 can be written in polar form 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ). So

𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 = 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ) => 𝑎 = 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 . θ is called

the argument of the complex number.
𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖
bi
Using Pythagora’s theorem, 𝑟 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 . b

The horizontal axis is the real axis and the vertical axis is the imaginary axis. This
xy coordinate plane is called a complex number plane, or Argand diagram. The
form 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 is called the rectangular co-ordinate form of a complex number.
Examples
1. Express the following complex numbers in polar form:

5
a) −√3 + 𝑖
Solution
In this complex number 𝑎 = −√3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 1 .
2
𝑟 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 =√(− √3) + (1)2 = 2.

𝑎 √3 √3 5𝜋
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = =− => 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 (− ) = (= 1500 )
𝑟 2 2 6
5𝜋 5𝜋
Therefore −√3 + 𝑖 = 2 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 ) in polar form.
6 6

Remember this complex number is in the second quadrant i.e. moving − √3

units along the x-axis and 1 unit along the y-axis.
b) −2 + 5𝑖
Solution
In this complex number 𝑎 = −2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 5 .

𝑟 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 =√(− 2)2 + (5)2 = √29.

−2 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = => 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 (− ) = 0.6211𝜋 (= 111.80 )
√29 √29

Remember this complex number is in the second quadrant i.e. moving −2

units along the x-axis and 5 units along the y-axis.
Therefore −2 + 5𝑖 = √29(𝑐𝑜𝑠0.6211𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛0.6211𝜋) in polar form.
c) 5 + 2𝑖
Solution
In this complex number 𝑎 = 5 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 2 .

𝑟 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 =√(5)2 + (2)2 = √29.

5 5
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = => 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 ( ) = 0.1211𝜋 (= 21.80 )
√29 √29

Remember this complex number is in the second quadrant i.e. moving −2

units along the x-axis and 5 units along the y-axis.

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 Therefore −2 + 5𝑖 = √29(𝑐𝑜𝑠0.6211𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛0.6211𝜋) in polar form.
d) 7 − 5𝑖
Solution
In this complex number 𝑎 = 7 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = −5 .

𝑟 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 =√(7)2 + (−5)2 = √74.

7 7
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = => 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 ( ) = 0.1974𝜋 (= 35.540 )
√74 √74

But 7 − 5𝑖 is in the 4th quadrant => 𝜃 = 3600 −35.540 = 324.460 =

1.8026𝜋
Therefore 7 − 5𝑖 = √74(cos 1.8026𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 1.8026𝜋) polar form.
e) 4𝑖
Solution
In this complex number 𝑎 = 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 0 .

𝑟 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 =√(4)2 + (0)2 = 4.

4 𝜋
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = = 1 => 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1( 1) = (= 900 )
4 2
𝜋 𝜋
Therefore 4𝑖 = 4 (cos + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 ) in polar form.
2 2

f) −3 − 4𝑖
Solution
In this complex number 𝑎 = −3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = −4 .

𝑟 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 =√(−3)2 + (−4)2 = 5.

3 3
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = − => 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 ( − ) = 0.2952𝜋 (= 53.130 )
5 5

But −3 − 4𝑖 is in the 3rd quadrant => 𝜃 = 1800 + 53.130 = 233.130 =

1.2952𝜋
Therefore −3 − 4𝑖 = 5(cos 1.2952𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 1.2952𝜋) in polar form.

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 Exercise
Write down the polar form of each of the following complex numbers:

𝑎) − 1 + i√3 ; b)−9 ; c) 12i ; d) − 5 − 2i

𝑒) 𝑖 ; f) 2 ; g) √3 + 𝑖 ; ℎ) − 3 − 3√3𝑖 ; i) −5 + 5i

Answers
2 2 1 1
𝑎) 2 (cos 𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜋) ; b) 9(cos 𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜋); c) 2 (cos 𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜋)
3 3 2 2

1 1
𝑑) √29(cos 1.01 𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 1.01𝜋); e) cos 𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜋 ; 𝑓) 2(cos 0 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛0)
2 2
1 1 4 4 3 3
g) 2 (cos 𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜋) ; ℎ)6 (cos 𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜋) ; 𝑖) 5√2 (cos 𝜋 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜋)
6 6 3 3 4 4

3) De Moivre’s Theorem

De Moivre's Theorem states that for a complex number 𝑧 = 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )

where 𝑖 = √−1, then

𝑧 𝑛 = 𝑟 𝑛 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃 )

where n is a positive integer.

So given a complex number 𝑧 = 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ) all the roots of 'z' are given by
1 1
2𝜋𝑘+𝜃 2𝜋𝑘+𝜃
𝑧 𝑛 = 𝑟 𝑛 [𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( )] where k = 0, 1, 2, 3... (n -1).
𝑛 𝑛

   
1
i) If k = 0 then r n cos   i sin   which is the principal nth root of z.
n   n 

ii) Also, for θ = 0 and r = 1 then z = 1 and nth root of unity are given by

 2k   2k 
cos    i sin   where k = 0, 1, 2, 3... (n - 1)
 n   n 

8
The formula is named after Abraham de Moivre. The formula is important because
it connects complex numbers and trigonometry. By expanding the left hand side
and then comparing the real and imaginary parts under the assumption that x is
real, it is possible to derive useful expressions for cos(nx) and sin(nx) in terms of
cos(x) and sin(x). As written, the formula is not valid for non-integer powers n.

Examples
1. Find three cube roots of unity.
Solution
Here n = 3 and θ = 0 and so:
 2k   2k 
1
z1/3 = (1)1/3 = 1 3 cos   i sin   , k = 0, 1, 2,.. . Note that r = 1.
  n   n 

When k = 0: z = cos (0) + i sin (0) =1

 2  2 
When k = 1: z = cos  
  i sin  
  3   3 

1 3
= cos (1200) + sin (1200) =   i
2 2

 4 4 
z = cos    i sin   = cos (2400) + i sin (2400) =   i
1 3
When k = 2:
  3   3  2 2

1 3 1 3
Hence the three cube roots of unity are 1,   i , and   i .
2 2 2 2
1
2. Find all values of (1 + 𝑖)3 and represent them on the Argand's diagram.
Solution
Here r  12  12  2 .
1 𝜋
𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 = 450 =
√2 4
   
Thus 1+ I = 2 cos    i sin  
 4  4   

9
 And so

 2    / 4  2k    / 4  2k 
 2    2k    2k  
1 1
1  i 
1
3  3
cos    i sin   3
cos  12  3   i sin 12  3  
  3   3      

Putting k=0, 1, 2, we get:

     
z  2  6
1
When k = 0: cos  12   i sin 12 
    

  9   9 
z  2  6
1
When k = 1: cos  12   i sin 12 
    

  17   17 
z  2  6
1
When k = 2: cos  12   i sin 12 
    

These are the required all values of (l + i)1/3. They are represented on the
Argand's diagram as

3. Find two values of √𝑖 .

Solution

  900  and r = 1.
2
i = cos 900 + i sin 900
Thus i = 1cos / 2  2k   i sin  / 2  2k  , where k=0, 1, 2.

10
   / 2  2k    / 2  2k 
1
Here n = 3 and so i  1 cos 3
  i sin   where k = 0, 1, 2.
  2   2 

 
z = cos    i sin   
1 1
When k = 0: i
4 4 2 2

5   5 
z = cos 
1 1
When k = 1:   i sin     i
 4   4  2 2
1 1 1 1
Hence the two roots of i are 1, i , and  i .
2 2 2 2

4. Find three cube roots of -1.

Solution
Note that r = 1 and   1800  
Thus  1 = 2 cos  2k   i sin   2k , k=0, 1, 2.
  2k    2k 
1
Here n = 3 and so (-1) 1/3
= 1 cos 
3
  i sin    where k = 0, 1, 2.
 3 3  3 3 

    1
z = cos   i sin     i
3
When k = 0:
 3  3  2 2

When k = 1: z = cos   i sin    1  i 0  1

 5   5 
z = cos
1 3
When k = 2:   i sin   =   i
  3   3  2 2

1 3 1 3
Hence the three cube roots of unity are 1,  i , 1, and  i .
2 2 2 2

5. Find three roots of √3 − 𝑖.

Solution

. r  3 2
  1  2
2

 1  11
  tan 1    3300 
 3 6

Thus 3  i = 2 cos11 / 6  2k   i sin cos11 / 6  2k 

11
  11 / 6  2k   11 / 6  2k 
1
Here n = 3, so ( 3  i ) 1/3
= 2 cos
3
  i sin  
  3   3 

where k = 0, 1, 2.
 11   11 
1
When k = 0: z = 2 3 cos   i sin  
  18   18 

 23   23 
1
When k = 1: z = 2 3 cos   i sin  
  18   18 

 35   35 
1
When k = 2: z = 2 3 cos   i sin  
  18   18 

6. Find all values of (1 − 𝑖)1/4.

Solution
Here r  12  (1) 2  2 .
 1 7
  tan 1    315 
0

 1  4

 7 7 
Thus 1- i = 2 cos    i sin  
  4   4 

And so
7𝜋/4 + 2𝜋𝑘
1/4 7𝜋/4 + 2𝜋𝑘
(1 − 𝑖)1/4 = (√2) [𝑐𝑜𝑠 (
) + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( )]
4 4
1/4 7𝜋 𝜋𝑘 7𝜋 𝜋𝑘
= (√2) [𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( + ) + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( + )]
16 2 16 2
Putting k = 0, 1, 2, and 3 we get:
  7   7 
z  2 8
1
When k = 0: cos  16   i sin 16 
    

  15   15 
z  2  8
1
When k = 1: cos  16   i sin 16 
    

  23   23 
z  28
1
When k = 2: cos  16   i sin 
    16 

12
   31   31 
z  2 8
1
When k = 3 , cos  16   i sin 
    16 

Exercise
1. Calculate the two square roots of −5 + 12i.
2. Calculate the 3 roots of 8 i.e. the cube roots of 8.
3. Find the first 2 fourth roots of 81(cos 600 + 𝑖 sin 600 ). Hence sketch all
fourth roots of 81(cos 600 + 𝑖 sin 600 ) showing relevant values of r and θ.
4. Find all the values of z that satisfy z4 + 1 = 0 .

Answers
1. 2 + 3𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 2 − 3𝑖; 2) − 1 + 1.732i 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 1 − 1.732 𝑖

3. 2.90 + 0.78𝑖 and − 0.78 + 2.90𝑖 . Here r = 811/3 = 3.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
4. + 𝑖; − + 𝑖; − − 𝑖 ; − 𝑖
√2 √2 √2 √2 √2 √2 √2 √2

4) Trigonometric Identities

De Moivre’s theorem states that for a positive integer n,

𝑧 𝑛 = 𝑟 𝑛 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 )𝑛 = 𝑟 𝑛 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃 )

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If we let 𝑟 = 1, this gives (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 )𝑛 = (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃 ).
Examples
1. Express 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 and 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 in terms of : i) Sines ii) Cosines.
Hence express 𝑡𝑎𝑛2𝜃 = tan 𝜃 given that 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 = 2sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃.
Solution
𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 = (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )2 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 + 2𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + (𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )2
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 𝑖 (2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )
i). Comparing real parts:
𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 = (1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 ) − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 = 1 − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
ii). Comparing imaginary parts:
𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 − (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 ) = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 − 1
2sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 2sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 2𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃
𝑡𝑎𝑛2𝜃 = = = =
𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 1 − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 1 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃
𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝜃+3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
2. Use De Moivre’s theorem to show that 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 = .
4

Solution
𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝜃 = (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )3
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 + 3𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃. (𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ) + 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. (𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )2 + (𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )3
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 + 3𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 − 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃
= (𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 ) + 𝑖 (3𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 )
Comparing imaginary parts:
𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 )
= 4𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
Making 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 the subject of the formula:

14
 𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝜃 + 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 =
4
3. Write the trigonometric expansion of 𝑐𝑜𝑠5𝜃. Write your answer in terms of
cosines.
Solution
𝑐𝑜𝑠5𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛5𝜃 = (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )5
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 5 𝜃 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠 4 𝜃. (𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ) + 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃. (𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )2 +
10𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃. (𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )3 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. (𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )4 + (𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )5
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 5 𝜃 + 5𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑠 4 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
−10𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. 𝑠𝑖𝑛4 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛5 𝜃
= (𝑐𝑜𝑠 5𝜃 − 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. 𝑠𝑖𝑛4 𝜃 )
+𝑖(5𝑐𝑜𝑠 4 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛5 𝜃 )
Comparing real parts:
𝑐𝑜𝑠5𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 5𝜃 − 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. 𝑠𝑖𝑛4 𝜃
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 5𝜃 − 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 ) + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 )2
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 5𝜃 − 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 + 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 5 𝜃 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃(1 − 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 4𝜃 )
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 5𝜃 − 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 + 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 5 𝜃 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠 5𝜃
= 16𝑐𝑜𝑠 5𝜃 − 20𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
Exercise
1. Using De Moivre’s theorem, prove that:
(𝑖) sin 2𝜃 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 (ii) cos 2𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃−𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃

Hence express tan 2𝜃 in terms of tan 𝜃 .

2. Using De Moivre’s theorem, prove that:

(𝑖) sin 3𝜃 = 3𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 = 3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 4𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃
(ii) cos 3𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃−3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 = 4𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

15
 Hence express tan 3𝜃 in terms of tan 𝜃 .

3. Using De Moivre’s theorem, prove that:

(𝑖) sin 4𝜃 = 8𝑐𝑜𝑠 4𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 8𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 + 1
(ii) cos 4𝜃 = 4 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 4𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃

Hence express tan 4𝜃 in terms of tan 𝜃 .

4. Using De Moivre’s theorem, prove that:

(𝑖) sin 5𝜃 = 16𝑠𝑖𝑛5 𝜃 − 20𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 + 5𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
(ii) cos 5𝜃 = 16 𝑐𝑜𝑠 5𝜃 − 20𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

Hence express tan 5𝜃 in terms of tan 𝜃 .

Answers
1. See Example 1 above.
3𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃−𝑡𝑎𝑛3 𝜃
2.
1−3𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃

3. cos 4𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 4𝜃 − 6𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

sin 4𝜃 = 4𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 4𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃

1 − 6𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃
tan 4𝜃 =
4𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 − 4𝑡𝑎𝑛3 𝜃

4. 𝑐𝑜𝑠5𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 5 𝜃 − 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 5𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. 𝑠𝑖𝑛4 𝜃

𝑠𝑖𝑛5𝜃 = 5𝑐𝑜𝑠 4𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 10𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛5 𝜃
1 − 10𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 + 5𝑡𝑎𝑛4 𝜃
tan 5𝜃 =
5𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 − 10𝑡𝑎𝑛3 𝜃 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛5 𝜃

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